Ex-Faith No More singer Mike Patton (b. Michael Allan Patton, 27 January 1968, Eureka, California, USA), a much revered figure in metal since the rise of his former band in the late 80s, embarked immediately on a series of projects on the collapse of that band in 1998. One of these was Fantômas (named after a French literary anti-hero), a very eccentric band based on his own lyrical ideas, with the unorthodox contributions of Melvins guitarist Buzz Osbourne (b. 4 July 1960, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA), Trevor Dunn (b. 1 April 1974, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA; bass), and the enormous power of drummer Dave Lombardo (b. 16 February 1965, Havana, Cuba, ex-Slayer). Fantômas' recordings have appeared via Patton's own Ipecac label.
After a demo was recorded in 1998 to test the cohesion of the new band, a self-titled album was recorded the following year and attracted plenty of positive press from reviewers for whom the tidal wave of nu metal was no adequate substitute for Faith No More. The live set Millennium Monsterwork was credited to the Fantômas Melvins Big Band and was recorded on New Year's Eve 2000 in San Francisco, although the album did not gain a release until two years later. In the interim, the studio recording The Director's Cut enthralled and bemused listeners in equal measure before the ever-restless Patton put Fantômas on hold in order to work on a new act, Tomahawk. He resumed working relationships with Osborne, Dunn and Lombardo on the ambitious concept album Delìrum Còrdia, released under the Fantômas name in early 2004. The follow-up Suspended Animation harked back to the sound of Fantômas' debut album, punctuated by a constant stream of cartoon samples. The original release of the album featured packaging in the form of a calendar for April 2005.
